The making of Dragonfly Sauvignon Blanc Semillon centres on capturing the fresh and alluring tropical and seasonal fruit flavours from the region. A minute portion is fermented in French oak barriques to add a layer of intrigue to the wine. Enticing aromatics of passionfruit, tropical notes, kiwi fruit and lime zest. The palate is crisp and refreshing, having a depth of flavour, tropical spectrum, and a long fine finish.

Portuga is made by Casa Santos Lima, a grand Portuguese estate in the Lisboa region, just north of the capitol. João Santos Lima founded it in the 19th century and it has been in the same family for three generations. Diogo Sepúlveda is the winemaker today. He has worked vintages all across the world, including Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol and California's Napa Valley. He is a talented winemaker, who relaxes in his spare time by wrestling bulls (all muscle, no knives!). Portuga is a rich, velvety blend of traditional native varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged gently in oak. Delicious either served on its own, with rich pork dishes, or tangy tomato pasta. It's an ideal wine for a barbecue too or with mature hard cheeses.

Southern France's Languedoc region is a treasure trove of good value, well-ripened reds. And the grapes are often almost identical to those of the southern Rhône – here we're talking about Grenache and Syrah, although there are plenty more like Carignan and Cinsault that also shine. Thanks to the sun-filled Mediterranean climate, varied soils and drying wind, the Languedoc is an excellent region for making really appealing, warm-fruit wines. Using a blend of Grenache and Syrah, this appealing red combines juicy blackberry and raspberry fruit with ripe tannins, long sweet spice and liquorice notes. With its soft, velvety texture, this goes with just about anything – from pizza and pasta to grilled meats. It's great on its own too and top choice at a barbecue.

Andrew Margan grew up in Sydney but his parents planted a vineyard in Pokolbin, Hunter Valley in 1965, next door to the Tyrrell’s winey HeI was lucky to have legendary wine grower Murray Tyrrell mentor him. After working for a while at Tyrrell's, and in France, Andrew Margan and wife Lisa established Margan Vineyards in 1996. Today it incorporates 2 of the 2nd generation, Alessa and Ollie, as viticulturist and winemaker respectively. Andrew continues to oversee the viticultural and winemaking side; Lisa, the tourism and restaurant. The quality of the estate's output is extremely high, both with traditional Hunter varieties, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Semillon, and with the new and pioneering, such as Albabrino and Barbera. The Hunter has several sub-regions and Broke Fordwich, where the estate lies, is one of them. It was designated, registered and protected as a GI (Geographic Indication) region in 2003, the second in Australia to do so. This is an excellently balanced Single Vineyard Shiraz.

The Noble One by De Bortoli is considered Australia's premier dessert wine, and for obvious reasons. The wine has won countless awards at the leading wine shows around the country and has a wonderful propensity to develop even further in the bottle. The 2002 Noble One is a classic expression of the style with rich apricot treacle characters with fig and orange blossom still active on the nose and palate. Hints of vanilla bean and a refreshing acidity on the finish mean this decade old wine will continue to live in the cellar for many years more.